King James Version

What Does 1 Timothy 1:19 Mean?

1 Timothy 1:19 in the King James Version says “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” — study this verse from 1 Timothy chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:”

1 Timothy 1:19 · KJV

Faith

Context

17

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

18

This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

19

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20

Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Paul identifies two essentials for faithful ministry: "faith" (pistin, πίστιν) and "a good conscience" (agathēn syneidēsin, ἀγαθὴν συνείδησιν). "Faith" here likely refers both to subjective trust in Christ and objective doctrinal content—the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). "A good conscience" means moral integrity, alignment between profession and practice, freedom from hypocrisy and hidden sin.

The verb "holding" (echōn, ἔχων) suggests active maintaining or guarding, not passive possession. Timothy must deliberately protect both sound doctrine and moral integrity against constant threats. These two elements are inseparable—doctrinal orthodoxy without moral integrity produces hypocrisy; moral sincerity without doctrinal orthodoxy produces futile religiosity. Both together enable faithful warfare against error.

Paul warns that "some" have "put away" (apōsamenoi, ἀπωσάμενοι)—rejected, thrust aside, or deliberately discarded—a good conscience, with catastrophic results regarding faith. They "made shipwreck" (enauagēsan, ἐναυάγησαν), a nautical term meaning total ruin. Once a ship wrecks, it's destroyed; similarly, rejecting conscience ruins faith. The progression is clear: moral compromise leads to doctrinal defection. When leaders rationalize sin, sound doctrine inevitably suffers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The connection between moral integrity and doctrinal faithfulness appears throughout Scripture. Jesus identified false prophets by their fruit, not merely their teaching (Matthew 7:15-20). Peter warned that false teachers follow sensuality and bring the way of truth into disrepute (2 Peter 2:1-3). When moral failure isn't repented of, doctrinal error typically follows as people rationalize their behavior.

"Shipwreck" as metaphor for spiritual ruin would resonate powerfully in the ancient Mediterranean world where sea travel was dangerous and shipwrecks common. Paul himself experienced shipwreck multiple times (2 Corinthians 11:25; Acts 27). The image conveys sudden, complete disaster—what was afloat and making progress toward its destination is suddenly destroyed and sinks.

Paul's warning that "some" had already shipwrecked regarding faith indicates this wasn't merely theoretical danger but present reality in Timothy's situation. The false teachers in Ephesus apparently exhibited this pattern—compromising conscience, rationalizing sin, then developing doctrine to justify their behavior. Their theological error didn't occur in vacuum but stemmed from prior moral failure.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas might you be tempted to compromise conscience, and how do you guard against this?
  2. How have you seen the connection between moral compromise and doctrinal error in your experience or observation?
  3. What practices help you maintain both sound doctrine and moral integrity as inseparable elements of faithful Christianity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
ἔχων1 of 12

“Holding”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

πίστιν2 of 12

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

καὶ3 of 12

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀγαθὴν4 of 12

“a good”

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

συνείδησιν5 of 12

“conscience”

G4893

co-perception, i.e., moral consciousness

ἥν6 of 12

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τινες7 of 12

“some”

G5100

some or any person or object

ἀπωσάμενοι8 of 12

“having put away”

G683

to push off, figuratively, to reject

περὶ9 of 12

“concerning”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τὴν10 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστιν11 of 12

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ἐναυάγησαν12 of 12

“have made shipwreck”

G3489

to be shipwrecked (stranded, "navigate"), literally or figuratively

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Timothy 1:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Timothy 1:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Timothy 3:9Revelation 3:101 Peter 3:15-161 Timothy 6:9Titus 1:92 Timothy 4:4

Test Your Knowledge

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